Short answer: the JBL 306P MKII. It ranks #41 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $199. The M-Audio BX8 D3 ranks #50, rated 4.0/5, at $129, $70 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the M-Audio BX8 D3 does well: Measured -3dB extension of 48.3Hz provides useful musical bass, with a 6.66 ideal-subwoofer score. The tradeoff: A 3.9dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and downward tonal tilt suggest a darker, less even presentation than the leaders.
What the JBL 306P MKII does well: A 6.94 ideal-subwoofer score and 46.9Hz measured -3dB extension make this a useful affordable nearfield monitor. The catch: The 3.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz is less even than the 308P MKII’s, with midrange resonances affecting neutrality.
Buy the JBL 306P MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $70 you would save on the M-Audio BX8 D3 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| M-Audio BX8 D3 | JBL 306P MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $258 per pair | $398 per pair |
| Ranked | #50 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #41 of 68 in Large Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear-ported MDF | - |
| Drivers | 1.25" silk-dome tweeter, 8" Kevlar woofer | 6.5" woofer, 1" neodymium tweeter |
| Dimensions | 15.1H x 9.8W x 11.9D in | 16.1"H x 11.2"W x 12.9"D (408 x 285 x 328 mm) |
| Weight | 23.1 lbs (10.5 kg) each | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 150W each (80W LF, 70W HF) | 112W total |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS | XLR, 1/4" TRS |
| Country | United States (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.65 | 5.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.66 | 6.94 |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 39Hz - 24kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| DSP | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL 306P MKII:
- Genelec 8361A vs JBL 306P MKII
- JBL 306P MKII vs Genelec 8341A
- JBL 306P MKII vs Adam Audio S2V
- Neumann KH 310 A vs JBL 306P MKII
- JBL 308P MKII vs JBL 306P MKII
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
M-Audio BX8 D3: $258 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Measured -3dB extension of 48.3Hz provides useful musical bass, with a 6.66 ideal-subwoofer score. The large woofer and analog connections suit a straightforward studio setup without requiring a streaming ecosystem.
Cons: A 3.9dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz and downward tonal tilt suggest a darker, less even presentation than the leaders. The 8-inch driver and amplifier rating are not proof of deeper or cleaner bass than smaller competitors. Room controls cannot fully correct frequency-dependent directivity.
Full M-Audio BX8 D3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 150W each (80W LF, 70W HF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States (design) |
| Dimensions | 15.1H x 9.8W x 11.9D in |
| Drivers | 1.25" silk-dome tweeter, 8" Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear-ported MDF |
| Frequency Response | 37Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.65 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.66 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 23.1 lbs (10.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL 306P MKII: $398 per pair B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A 6.94 ideal-subwoofer score and 46.9Hz measured -3dB extension make this a useful affordable nearfield monitor. The waveguide supports broad horizontal listening coverage, and basic boundary controls help with setup. Measured bass extension of 78Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 3.4dB response span from 300Hz to 5kHz is less even than the 308P MKII’s, with midrange resonances affecting neutrality. Hiss can matter at a quiet desk, while bass distortion limits demanding playback. A subwoofer improves bandwidth but does not remove the midrange irregularities.
Full JBL 306P MKII review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 112W total |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1"H x 11.2"W x 12.9"D (408 x 285 x 328 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woofer, 1" neodymium tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 24kHz (-10dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR, 1/4" TRS |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.94 |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons